Tianshui, Gansu, was called Qinzhou in ancient times. It is an important birthplace of the Chinese nation and Chinese civilization. Because the “head of the three emperors” Fuxi created the gossip here, it is also known as the “Capital of Yi Learning”. The rich historical and cultural resources have left a large number of cultural relics in Tianshui. According to statistics, there are 470 cultural relics protection units in the city. The most worthy of visit is the Maijishan Grottoes, located about 35 kilometers southeast of the city.
Maiji Mountain is a solitary peak in Xiaolong Mountain in the Yumai of Qinling Mountains. It is named after the mountain shape resembles wheat stacks. Although the scenic spot is located in Gansu Province, it is completely different from the Gobi Desert in the west. It has green mountains and green waters, a pleasant climate and rich biological species. Diverse, with famous landscapes such as “The Fairy Gives Lights”, “Shimen Night Moon”, and “Pure Land Songtao”, especially “Maiji Misty Rain” is listed as the first of the eight scenic spots in Qinzhou. According to records, the Maijishan Grottoes were built in the post-Qin period of the Sixteen Kingdoms (384-417 AD) and were excavated by more than ten dynasties of the Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties Rebuilt, there are 221 existing cave niches, 10632 clay sculptures and stone sculptures, and 979.54 square meters of murals. It is one of the four largest grottoes in China and the first choice for tourists to visit Tianshui. Different from the other three major grottoes, the Maijishan Grottoes are excavated on the cliffs that are almost 90 degrees, and the caves are all connected by volleys erected on the cliffs. From the local folk proverbs: “After cutting Nanshan firewood, build Maiji Cliff”, “First there are ten thousand meters of firewood, then Maiji Cliff”, one can imagine the arduous and grandiose construction of the grottoes back then. Because the Maiji Mountain where the grottoes are located is a typical Danxia landform, the rock structure is relatively loose and difficult to carve carefully, so the ancient craftsmen chose clay sculptures to make sculptures according to local conditions. These 1500-year-old clay sculptures and stone sculptures boldly break through the strict rules and iron laws of religion, with delicate and vivid expressions, lifelike, and are known as “the exhibition hall of oriental sculpture art.” The Sanhualou, which has a history of 1400 years ago, is the largest palace-style grotto in the country. The plaque above the lintel is taken from Buddhist scriptures, which means: “Whether it is right or wrong, get Whether it’s lost or lost, it’s nothing more than that.” The whole building is meticulously crafted and the Buddha statues are lifelike. It is one of the most artistically valuable masterpieces of Maiji Mountain. It is worth mentioning that there are 7 flying murals on the top of the Sanhualou Cave, which are world-renowned for using the rare “thin meat sculpture” technique. According to reports, these seven “Joyful Flying Clouds” were created at the turn of the Northern Wei Dynasty and the Western Wei Dynasty. The face and body of the statues are made of a thin layer of fine mud sculptures with a maximum thickness of about 5 mm. The clothing and flowing clouds are painted. The picture is very exquisite, giving people a feeling of “ready to come out”. Ancient Chinese craftsmen skillfully combined sculpture and painting to give their works a three-dimensional effect. This artistic technique did not become popular in the Western art world until the 20th century after 1500. However, because the “thin meat plastic” is exposed outdoors and exposed to wind and sun for a long time, the oxidation is very serious, so friends who want to see must act as soon as possible. The Maijishan Grottoes, as the most complete cave in the country that preserves the clay sculptures of the Northern Dynasties, is a masterpiece of the sinicization of Buddhist statues. In 1961, the Maiji Mountain Grottoes were announced by the State Council as the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. In 2014, they were designated as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Transportation: In Tianshui City, take bus No. 5 and 34 to the terminal station Maijishan Parking Lot Station.
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